I recently read an article offering seven signs that suggest a person might be on the verge of getting fired. It was pretty generic stuff and worth keeping in mind for the general public. I did, however, wonder what signs coaches might view as omens of pending dismissal. (. . . CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE)

We are, of course, about to embark on a new college football season. Coaches are, therefore, riding a wave of optimism and drive. They soon will arrive at camp with fire in their eyes – intent on building a fire in the bellies of their players. Such waves do not always guarantee a smooth ride over the course of a season. Many things can go wrong. Eventually, some coaches “wipe out.” Most firings come at the end of a season, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Miami’s Don Treadwell, for instance, was relieved of head coaching duties mid-way through last year. For what it’s worth, here is a lighter side look at signs a football coach might be in trouble: - The NCAA notifies you it is sending investigators to your office for a LONG chat. - Each week, some of your coaching gear disappears. The school tells you it can’t order any more. - Your office computer keeps booting up to a home page featuring moving companies. - Your fancy free ride – courtesy of the boosters – is replaced with a golf cart that was “rolled” last year. - The athletic director seems to be spending most of his time with the boosters and/or some “mystery” committee. He won’t return your phone calls or e-mails. - You discover your motivational phrase-a-day calendar suddenly stops after the final game of the season. - Real estate agents and their clients seem to be circling the block – hesitating in front of your house. - Your wife keeps getting new favorite restaurants – increasingly farther from town. - As the losing streak continues, your postgame press conferences always seem to begin with “I saw some good things out there” and end with “I don’t know. I’ll have to look at the tape.” - You suspect assistants are substituting job searches for recruiting trips. - Your weekly radio show now has 50 minutes of public service announcements. By Week 9, you see that as a good thing. - The only shoe contract you can get for the next year is actually for shoe strings. - The football office manager cries when you walk through the door.

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Mike Smith saw his first MAC footb﻿a﻿ll action as a nine-year-old while hanging onto the flagpole of a nearby baseball stadium. The view got better after he discovered he could get in free at halftime. Decades later, he can usually be found either on press row or along the sidelines.Mike has won awards for both his stories and pictures during his time in journalism. Combining his own skills with those of other writers and photographers, along with conference and school resources, he constantly works to provide an enjoyable MAC product.

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